The company also has shored up its operations in the Queensland coalfields through an acquisition.

On the safer vehicles front, Sargent will continue to purchase Toyotas and Mitsubishis with safety option packs, chief executive Grant Chugg said.

The company was continually enhancing its focus on safety as more and more clients demanded high-performance, high-safety vehicles, he said.

“The introduction of the Ancap 5-star rated commercial vehicles to the Sargent fleet is another step in the continual process of ensuring we operate with equipment of the highest safety standards,” Chugg said.

“It is imperative that Sargent leads the way from a safety point of view and with these new additions, we will stay ahead by having the highest rated vehicles possible.”

Chugg said most of the fleet would be deployed in the Bowen Basin to meet the needs of a growing number of clients within the mining and gas industries there.

“Many of our clients, particularly those within the mining industry, demand this level of safety in their vehicles,” he said.

“Regardless, Sargent wants to provide the highest rated vehicles it can and in these new Ford Ranger vehicles we have done that.

“We have increased our presence in the Bowen Basin region and we are dedicated to catering for the large number of clients within the mining industry.”

Chugg said Sargent had access to a range of In Vehicle Monitoring Solutions to further increase safety capabilities within its vehicle fleet, and was conducting research into various speed-limiting systems for a variety of commercial applications.

Also in Queesnland, Sargent completed its largest acquisition with the purchase of Dysart Engineering.

With the purchase effective from late August, Sargent will expand the services it offers by introducing up to 200 vehicles from its rental fleet to clients in the Bowen Basin.

Dysart, which recently moved into premises at Lot 4 Dysart Bypass Road, employs 50 staff and provides an extensive range of light vehicle mechanical work, glass replacement, tyre services and panel repairs.

It also has a heavy truck mechanical facility.

Its previous owner Rod Allen will continue with Sargent in a business development and strategy role.

“This key acquisition continues our strategy of establishing ourselves as a leader in the provision of rental and maintenance services in key infrastructure and resources growth markets,” Chugg said.

Sargent recently expanded in Western Australia through the purchase of Pilbara business Newman Tyre and Battery.

Last year it bought Karratha-based mechanical workshop North West Mechanical.

Chugg said Sargent was in the process of changing its position within the industry to focus largely on the infrastructure and resources industries as well as boosting its presence in mining hotspots such as Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

The company provides rental and maintenance of commercial vehicles.

It has a fleet of more than 3900 vehicles comprising 4WDs, 2WDs, trucks, buses and specialised vehicles.

This article first appeared in the September edition of Australian Longwall magazine.